The Fans Have Voted: Time To Retire #17

As I posted back on April 18, 2010, the Mets should retire #17 in honor of their Captain, Keith Hernandez.

As I stated in the post, the Mets could have the special night on June 6th - which is the last home date the Mets have before June 15, which 27 years before, was the date they acquired Hernandez, and he changed the face of the franchise.

After that post, we ran a poll, and an overwhelming 73% agreed that his #17 should be retired. I was shocked that there was an astounding 26% that said no. I wonder how many, if any, of the 26% that voted actually saw Hernandez play.

As has been noted, Keith was the best. End of story. He isn't Albert Pujols, no, but in all of Pujols greatness, he wasn't a fraction of the 1B Hernandez was.

Hernandez was a key cog on two different World Series Championship teams; the 1982 Cardinals and the 1986 Mets.

Hernandez, like his former teammate Ozzie Smith, re-invented the position. Where Smith didn't really re-invent the SS position, he was acrobatic and could track down any ball. Ozzie is in the Hall.

Hernandez re-defined the position - where it wasn't the big fat guy who couldn't move, who played there.

He invented how to field the bunt as a 1B. No one was better.

No one was better on the 3-6-3 double play. No one could guard the line like Keith.

No one commanded the respect like Keith.

Time for Fred & Jeff Wilpon, along with Omar Minaya to not only give Keith his due, but his day.

The fans have spoken.